An ancient sarcophagus was found by archeologists under the Notre Dame cathedral, offering new insight into the history of the building. The group of researchers also found fragments of a rood screen. The building is currently under reconstruction after a devastating fire in 2019.
The building dates back to the 12th century and was commissioned the excavation works inside the cathedral as a precautionary measure. This is before the installation of scaffolding needed to restore a 100-metre-high wooden roof ridge. France’s Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot said “the floor of the transept crossing has revealed remains of remarkable scientific quality,”
The excavation site is located under a stony layer that dates from the 18th century. Some lower levels go back as far as the 14th, and some even go as early as the 13th century, the Culture Ministry said. They said the lead sarcophagus probably belonged to a high dignitary and said it could date back to the 14th century.
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